Saving Farley's Bog (12 page)

“That's Didi. Well, did they do it?”

Daffy shrugged again. “Theatrically, yes. Legally, I don't think so. Come on. Let's get some lunch.”

The walked up the aisle and through the heavy double doors that led to the lobby. Molly lunged across the hall just as Stitch and Daffy emerged from the courtroom. She blocked Stitch's way.

“You bastard,” Molly said angrily. She leaned forward into Stitch's face. Her hands were clenched into fists at her hips. “I thought you were different.”

Stitch looked at her miserably. He raised both hands pleadingly. “Molly, I'm sorry. Listen, I can explain!”

Molly was shaking with fury. “The only explanation is that you're a man,” she hissed. “And a sorry excuse for one at that.”

She whirled around and stalked down the hall toward the exit door. She turned around suddenly. “And don't bother sending me a bill,” she yelled. “It'll be a cold day in hell when you get a cent from me!”

Stitch closed his eyes and leaned against a wall. “Ah,” he muttered. “A great ending to a great morning.”

CHAPTER 18

Decisions

Stitch slouched in his chair in the courtroom as people began trickling back in from the recess. How had things gone so wrong? He really liked Molly. There seemed to be something there. But now he'd screwed that up. He had broken a major murder and money laundering case. But Venam's greasy lawyers made it sound like he was the villain. And now, despite everything, Daffy could even lose the injunction.

He stared at the empty judge's bench in front of him. Suddenly Daffy punched him on the shoulder and sat down beside him.

“Shouldn't you be down at your table? Figuring out how to save this mess or something?” Stitch grumbled.

Daffy grinned. “Lighten up, partner. All is not lost.”

Stitch looked up at Daffy gloomily. “That's the best news I've heard today. What's up?”

“I did a little research on Judge Cox.”

Stitch stared back at the judge's bench in front of him. “How depressing.”

“Not really,” Daffy continued. “He's a corporate guy, yeah. But in his youth he was a Crown prosecutor.”

Stitch glanced at Daffy. “He prosecuted bad guys?”

“Yeah. Pretty effectively, too. Our Judge Cox does not like criminals.”

“So what does that mean for us?”

Daffy shrugged. “We'll see.” He motioned to the front of the court. DeSoto was making his way across the front of the courtroom. “Gotta go. Wish me luck.”

“Luck,” Stitch said half-heartedly.

Daffy made his way to his seat. The door to the judge's chamber opened. Judge Cox walked toward the bench. “All rise!” the clerk called out.

The courtroom rustled as everyone rose. The judge in his black gown moved quickly to his chair behind the bench. The court sat down.

Judge Cox adjusted his glasses. He opened a file on his desk. He looked at the lawyers for Venam. “Mr. DeSoto.”

DeSoto stood. “Thank you, My Lord.” The next half hour was one of the longest in Stitch's life. DeSoto tore Stitch to shreds. According to him, Didi's confession was nothing more than drunken babbling. Stitch was a manipulative cad who had taken advantage of her. His only interest was in raising his profile as a private detective. He was helping environmental extremists restrict legitimate business. The evidence he had provided was untrustworthy. It had been filmed without Didi knowing she was being recorded. And only after Stitch had intentionally and systematically gotten her drunk.

Stitch stared at DeSoto during his entire address. He had met lots of vile people in his line of work. But he could not remember loathing any of them like he loathed DeSoto. DeSoto seemed to almost feel the hatred. When he caught Stitch's eyes, he looked away quickly.

When DeSoto was finally done, Judge Cox turned to Daffy. Even sitting behind him, Stitch thought he heard Daffy hold his breath.

“Mr. Abbott, I will not need to hear from you.”

Stitch looked at Daffy in panic. But then Daffy turned his head and looked briefly at Stitch. He could see a broad smile spread across Daffy's face.

Stitch leaned over the railing. “What are you smiling at?” Stitch hissed at Daffy. “That doesn't sound good.”

Daffy didn't turn around. “Just wait.”

The Judge adjusted his glasses again. Then he stared out over the courtroom.

“This hearing is about a straightforward matter. Should an injunction to stop Venam Shopping Centres from building on the Farley's Bog site be revoked? Unfortunately, as is often the case, there is nothing simple about the issue.”

The judge paused and looked around the room. “Whatever our views are on the injunction itself, we are faced with compelling evidence of criminal activity. First, that a city councillor who cast the deciding vote to rezone the building site was bribed. And second that he was later murdered so he could not testify.”

There was a rustle in the courtroom.

“We also have evidence that Venam is involved in a money laundering scheme. It is not the responsibility or desire of this court to decide on these matters. All of this information is now in the hands of the RCMP.”

Stitch saw DeSoto lean over and whisper to an associate. He was no longer smirking.

The judge nodded toward DeSoto. “Counsel has done an admirable job of questioning the evidence at hand. The RCMP and future trials will determine its validity and admissibility. However, my job is to decide on this one issue: Should the injunction be lifted?”

The courtroom was silent.

“The affidavit and supporting evidence make a prima facie case that the rezoning decision by the Mapleton City Council was achieved fraudulently. It appears to have been obtained through criminal means. The evidence strongly suggests that the developer bribed and blackmailed a councillor to secure their desired outcome. This sort of criminal behaviour cannot be tolerated in a society based on law and justice. I hereby deny the request to overturn the injunction. The injunction still stands on an interim basis.”

The courtroom burst into cheers. People jumped up and hugged each other.

Judge Cox leapt up from behind the bench. “That is enough!” he roared. People quieted. “This is not a political rally,” he scolded. “You will have respect for this courtroom or I will charge you with contempt!”

People sat down sheepishly, broad smiles on their faces. Across from Stitch, the Venam lawyers quietly picked up their papers. They stuffed them into their briefcases and filed out. As DeSoto passed, Stitch caught his eye and smiled. “Asshole,” he murmured quietly.

“Do you always drink a double double?” Stitch asked. He pointed with his chin at Daffy's coffee. They were sitting at the Tim Hortons two days after the injunction had been granted. “Isn't one cream and one sugar enough?”

“What's it to you?” Daffy asked defensively.

“I'm just concerned about your weight, Daf. You're not getting any slimmer.”

Daffy reached over and tousled Stitch's hair. “Hey, you're the ladies' man. Gallivanting around with strippers. I have a long-time girlfriend. She loves me as I am.”

Stitch winced. “That was a low blow.”

Daffy raised his eyebrows. “All's fair in love and war. So what are you going to do with Molly? Sue her for your fee?”

Stitch shook his head miserably. “No. She's right. I was a real bastard.”

Daffy raised his eyes, thinking. “That's true.”

“Gee, it's always great to get support from your best friend.”

“Well, look on the bright side. You're all over the news. The president of Venam has been indicted for fraud and money laundering. Cecconi has been picked up on suspicion of murder. The RCMP is having a field day ripping up the money laundering scheme. You're a hero. You're gong to have more business than you know what to do with.”

Stitch held up his coffee cup as a toast. “And Daffy Abbott is famous. He's been interviewed on CBC, and Global.”

“Don't forget CNN,” Daffy added.

Stitch raised his hands as if framing a sign. “Daffy Abbott. The Crusading Counsel. No Bog Too Small.”

Daffy laughed. “Well, there's plenty to do, partner.”

Stitch leaned back in his chair. “Do you think I can get her back?”

“Who?”

“Who!” Stitch yelled. “Molly, of course.”

Other customers began to eye Stitch nervously.

“Just teasing,” Daffy smiled. “Look, you can track down murders. You're fearless. You're a brilliant detective. How hard can it be to win over Molly?”

Stitch looked unconvinced. “I think it's a different skill set.”

Daffy nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, but I love you man. So does she.”

Stitch looked up hopefully. “You think so?”

“Absolutely. All you have to do is not act like a jerk.” Daffy thought for a minute. “Maybe you're right. Maybe it is hopeless.”

Stitch leapt over the table. The two men rolled on the floor pummelling each other and laughing.

The other customers fled for the doors.

Don Sawyer has authored more than ten books. These include the award-winning young adult novel, Where the Rivers Meet, and the acclaimed non-fiction account of his first teaching experience in rural Newfoundland, Tomorrow Is School. Don is an educator and writer who has travelled and worked in West Africa and the Caribbean as well as with First Nations communities in Canada. He lives in Salmon Arm, British Columbia.